Craig Ellis Celebrant

20/12/2025

Continuing Bonds:
Christmas, like many other times of the year, can be a powerful reminder of the person we have lost. Sometimes the build-up can feel even harder than the day itself, filling the empty spaces with thoughts of what could have been, alongside all the little reminders that feel especially loud at this time of year.

And that’s OK.

Losing someone doesn’t mean we lose our connection to them or the love we still hold. That love doesn’t disappear when they’re no longer here. Instead, we adjust to a new way of being in the world without them beside us. Holding onto the love in our memories, in the stories we tell of them, in the ache that reminds us how deeply they mattered.

Especially on days like Christmas, anniversaries, birthdays, or any tender day in between, we can feel the loss deeper than other times, and that's OK to lean into that love.
Would you whisper their name and acknowledge that its is a tough day?
Maybe you raise a glass and tell your favourite story.
Perhaps you might write them a Christmas card, sharing the year they didn’t get to see.
Could you mark the day and do something you once did together?
Or maybe you simply sit quietly, holding space for their presence in your heart.

However you remember them, be kind to yourself and nurture your grief. And remember, you are coping the best way you can in difficult moments.

11/09/2025

10/09/2025

🌿 My Personal Journey into becoming a Funeral Celebrant 🌿

When my son was just 11, we faced the heartbreaking loss of his mum after her brave five-year battle with cancer. She was only 45. Walking with him through his grief, shows me how deeply families need compassion and support in their hardest moments.

That experience led me to volunteer in the bereavement sector, later becoming a staff member and eventually a qualified trainer for a national charity—training others to support grieving families. For over a decade, I have walked alongside people in their darkest days, listening, guiding, and offering empathy when it matters most.

Now, as a Non-Religious Funeral Celebrant, I bring both my personal understanding of loss and my professional experience together. Trained and accredited with Humanists UK, I ensure every ceremony is created with care, warmth, and professionalism. While I specialise in non-religious funerals, I am inclusive of all beliefs, backgrounds, and traditions—helping families shape ceremonies that reflect the life, character, and story of their loved one, whether through words, music, or simple acts of remembrance.

Every goodbye is unique. Every story deserves to be told with dignity, warmth, and love. Together, we can create a farewell that truly celebrates life.

Your Goodbye, Your Way - with empathy, elegance and love.

Craig Ellis
Non-Relgious Funeral Celebrant

Serving families across North Yorkshire

07365 911083
craigelliscelebrant@gmail.com